G-Kup, a Vancouver-based start-up focused on sustainable packaging, has received funding to fuel the commercialization of its 100% compostable single serve coffee pod.
The G-Kup, which has a rigid design similar to licensed Keurig brands, will work in all Keurig compatible machines including Keurig 2.0.
With its rigid base, it is compatible with auto-eject Keurig commercial office brewers that will not recognize soft bottom pods.
The design of the G-Kup allows for more volume of coffee than conventional rigid or soft bottom single serve pods (15% more coffee per pod).
It can be disposed of in a green bin or home composter.
G-Kup’s fiber construction allows consumers to see and feel the difference when comparing it to plastic or plastic-like coffee pods and assures that it will be accepted in most municipal green bin programs in Canada and the US, unlike material that can be confused with plastic.
The rigid design of the G-Kup extends to other beverage offerings in the single serve category including teas, hot chocolate and shelf stable dairy mixtures of flavored coffee.
G-Kup will also be positioned for the cold beverage segment that is expected to see explosive growth.
“We all know the widespread adoption of single serve is generating significant amounts of waste as a by-product, with more than 60 billion K-Cups being consumed and disposed of globally,” says CEO Darren Footz.
“Both consumers and roasters have told us that compostability and taste [which is tied directly to the amount of coffee per pod] are key factors for acceptance in the single serve market.”
